202 N Liberty Street
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Last updated on July 3, 2025
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Directions from William Strother House to Site 3:
- Continue down W Wolfe St
- At the intersection of W Wolfe St and N Liberty St, site 3 is on the right in the southeast corner
The Gibson family lived on the corner of North Liberty Street and West Wolfe Street in 1850. Jeremiah Gibson was born around 1791 in Staunton, Virginia. Little is unknown about Jeremiah's early life. In 1827, Jeremiah moved to Harrisonburg and purchased land on the northeast corner of North Liberty Street and West Wolfe Street. Jeremiah was a wagon maker, and his workshop was once where Liberty Park is today. Jeremiah taught his sons the practice of his trade. The Gibson family was one of three families that built wagons and carriages.
In May 1841, unknown circumstances led Jeremiah to fall into debt, risking the loss of his shop and livelihood. He worked with a local attorney, A.C. Bryan, to create a deal in which Jeremiah essentially pawned all his property with the agreement that he could earn it all back from Bryan within a year. This was a tactic many residents in Harrisonburg took advantage of, including free black individuals in the community, to avoid losing their property when faced with financial hardship. Jeremiah worked tirelessly to reclaim his property, and through the finalized receipts, other family possessions came to light, including furniture, household goods, and a cow. In 1854, Jeremiah had accumulated debt again and entered a deal with his wife Margaret, who acquired ownership of the Gibson properties. Jeremiah died unexpectedly in 1857 from an accident. Margaret, a widowed, free black woman, faced significant challenges as she fought against racism and patriarchal society to maintain the family's properties after her husband's sudden death. After Jeremiah's death, Margaret remained in the home with her two sons and worked as a washerwoman. Margaret died in September 1870, and property ownership was inherited by John Gibson, who lived on the lot with his family. In 1886, the lot was divided between John and his brother Marcellus. After the passing of the Gibson brothers within a year of each other, the Gibson lot was passed down to the next generation. The Gibson heirs ultimately sold their land, and the last portion of the Gibson lot was sold in 1899.
The Gibson family's story is one of resilience and determination. They built a life together, overcoming numerous economic, social, and legal barriers to become small business owners. Their story is a compelling example of the challenges and triumphs of the Antebellum black community in Harrisonburg.
In May 1841, unknown circumstances led Jeremiah to fall into debt, risking the loss of his shop and livelihood. He worked with a local attorney, A.C. Bryan, to create a deal in which Jeremiah essentially pawned all his property with the agreement that he could earn it all back from Bryan within a year. This was a tactic many residents in Harrisonburg took advantage of, including free black individuals in the community, to avoid losing their property when faced with financial hardship. Jeremiah worked tirelessly to reclaim his property, and through the finalized receipts, other family possessions came to light, including furniture, household goods, and a cow. In 1854, Jeremiah had accumulated debt again and entered a deal with his wife Margaret, who acquired ownership of the Gibson properties. Jeremiah died unexpectedly in 1857 from an accident. Margaret, a widowed, free black woman, faced significant challenges as she fought against racism and patriarchal society to maintain the family's properties after her husband's sudden death. After Jeremiah's death, Margaret remained in the home with her two sons and worked as a washerwoman. Margaret died in September 1870, and property ownership was inherited by John Gibson, who lived on the lot with his family. In 1886, the lot was divided between John and his brother Marcellus. After the passing of the Gibson brothers within a year of each other, the Gibson lot was passed down to the next generation. The Gibson heirs ultimately sold their land, and the last portion of the Gibson lot was sold in 1899.
The Gibson family's story is one of resilience and determination. They built a life together, overcoming numerous economic, social, and legal barriers to become small business owners. Their story is a compelling example of the challenges and triumphs of the Antebellum black community in Harrisonburg.
